diff --git a/projects/crimson-vows/staging/polished/character-state-ch-01-final.md b/projects/crimson-vows/staging/polished/character-state-ch-01-final.md
index 985f7853..93cfdc14 100644
--- a/projects/crimson-vows/staging/polished/character-state-ch-01-final.md
+++ b/projects/crimson-vows/staging/polished/character-state-ch-01-final.md
@@ -1,59 +1,49 @@
 # Character State: ch-01
 
 ## Isabella Voss
-**Location:** Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
-**Physical:** Hemomantic exhaustion; silk gloves saturated with blood; internal "lashing" from the Peace Vow; fresh wrist scarring hidden by lace.
-**Emotional:** Managed defiance; hyper-vigilant; performing a "regal correction" mask to hide trauma.
-**Active Obligations:**
-- Compliance for the binding ritual — PAID
-- Marriage to Damien Blackthorn — PAID
-- Production of a sanctioned heir — UNPAID
-**Open Loops:**
-- Survival of the wedding night (Damien) — UNRESOLVED
-- Maintaining the "Undamaged Vessel" facade (Reginald) — UNRESOLVED
-**Known Secrets:**
-- Actively bleeding beneath gloves; severity hidden from Elders.
-- Using her mother’s execution as a survival template.
-**Arc:** 15% — Transitioned from prisoner-of-war to legally bound hostage-bride.
+Location: Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
+Physical: Hemomantic exhaustion; silk gloves saturated with blood; internal "lashing" from the Peace Vow; fresh wrist scarring hidden by lace.
+Emotional: Managed defiance; hyper-vigilant; performing a "regal correction" mask.
+Active obligations: Compliance for the binding ritual — PAID; Marriage to Damien Blackthorn — PAID; Production of a sanctioned heir — UNPAID.
+Open loops: Survival of the wedding night — UNRESOLVED; Maintaining the "Undamaged Vessel" facade — UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: Actively bleeding beneath gloves; severity hidden from Elders; Using her mother’s execution as a survival template.
+Arc: 15% -- Transitioned from prisoner-of-war to legally bound hostage-bride.
+Permanent: YES
 
 ## Damien Blackthorn
-**Location:** Blackthorn Keep, The Great Hall
-**Physical:** Radiating predatory vitality; no injuries.
-**Emotional:** Cruelly intrigued; focused on dismantling Isabella’s composure.
-**Active Obligations:**
-- Presenting the "vassal-bride" to the Elders — PAID
-- Protection/Containment of Isabella — UNPAID
-**Open Loops:**
-- Testing the limits of Isabella’s Hemomancy — UNRESOLVED
-**Known Secrets:**
-- Aware Isabella is hiding hemomantic scarring/bleeding.
-**Arc:** 08% — Established as primary tormentor and shadow-husband.
+Location: Blackthorn Keep, The Great Hall
+Physical: Predatory vitality; no injuries.
+Emotional: Cruelly intrigued; focused on dismantling Isabella’s composure.
+Active obligations: Presenting the "vassal-bride" to the Elders — PAID; Protection/Containment of Isabella — UNPAID.
+Open loops: Testing the limits of Isabella’s Hemomancy — UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: Aware Isabella is hiding hemomantic scarring/bleeding.
+Arc: 08% -- Established as primary tormentor and shadow-husband.
+Permanent: YES
 
 ## Lord Reginald Thorne
-**Location:** Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
-**Physical:** Aged, commanding presence.
-**Emotional:** Triumphant; acquisitive.
-**Active Obligations:**
-- Overseeing integration of the Voss bloodline — UNPAID
-**Open Loops:**
-- Monitoring the "unmarked vessel" clause — UNRESOLVED
-**Arc:** 05% — Architect of the diplomatic annexation.
+Location: Blackthorn Keep, High Dais
+Physical: Aged, commanding presence.
+Emotional: Triumphant; acquisitive.
+Active obligations: Overseeing integration of the Voss bloodline — UNPAID.
+Open loops: Monitoring the "unmarked vessel" clause — UNRESOLVED.
+Known secrets: Views Isabella as a pawn to be discarded once an heir is produced.
+Arc: 05% -- Architect of the diplomatic annexation.
+Permanent: YES
 
 # World State: ch-01
 
 ## NPC Memory
-- **Blackthorn Court:** DERISIVE — Witnessed Isabella’s forced submission; view her as a conquered trophy.
+- Blackthorn Court: DERISIVE — Witnessed Isabella’s forced submission and the blood-soaked gloves. View her as a conquered trophy.
 
 ## Faction Attitudes
-- **Nightbloom Coven:** SILENT — Effectively abandoned Isabella for survival.
-- **Blackthorn Coven:** IMPERIAL — Viewing the marriage as a legal/magical annexation.
+- Nightbloom Coven: SILENT — Isabella feels abandoned by her kin for the sake of a fragile peace.
+- Blackthorn Coven: IMPERIAL — The marriage is treated as a legal and magical annexation of enemy assets.
 
 ## Active World Events
-- **The Peace Vow:** ACTIVE — Magical pulse enforcing non-aggression; punishes Isabella’s dissent with physical pain.
-- **The Transition:** COMPLETE — Isabella is legally and physically isolated within Blackthorn territory.
+- The Peace Vow: ACTIVE — Magical pulse enforcing non-aggression; punishes Isabella’s internal dissent with physical pain.
+- The Transition: COMPLETE — Isabella is legally and physically isolated within Blackthorn territory following the signing.
 
 ## Objects/Artifacts
-- **Blood-Soaked Silk Gloves:** Hiding hemomantic scarring from the Elders.
-- **The Binding Contract:** High-tier hemomantic artifact; legalizes the annexation of Nightbloom magic.
-- **Vow-Sealed Locket:** Isabella’s last link to her lineage; hidden talisman.
-- **The Great Throne:** Site of the binding; reinforced with anti-hemomantic wards.
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+- Blood-Soaked Silk Gloves: Hiding hemomantic scarring from the Elders.
+- The Binding Contract: High-tier hemomantic artifact; legalizes the annexation of Nightbloom magic.
+- Vow-Sealed Locket: Isabella’s last link to her lineage; hidden talisman.
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